Holder, Electrical Supply, and RF Transmitter Unit for Electronic Devices

ABSTRACT

A holder, electrical supply, and optional radio frequency transmitter unit to hold, supply power to, and receive a data signal from an operating electronic device when the device (e.g., MP3 player) is held in the unit is disclosed. Electrical power enters the unit&#39;s power acquisition portion (e.g., cigarette lighter adapter) from an external source and flows to the electronic device via the holder. A data signal from the electronic device is processed by an radio frequency transmitter in the unit, and the resulting radio frequency signal is broadcast by an antenna (e.g., gooseneck) that preferably forms a repositionable mechanical connection between the holder and the power acquisition unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/936,356, filed Sep. 8, 2004 to Seil et al. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/936,356 is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to accessories for electronic devices,particularly audio devices (e.g., portable MP3 players). Morespecifically, the invention relates to a holder, electrical (power)supply, and optional RF transmitter unit for electronic devices.

2. Description of the Background

Numerous types of electronic devices are known, many of which areportable, for example, mobile (or cellular) phones, laptop computers,and audio playback devices, for example, portable AM and FM radios,portable CD (compact disk) players, and portable MP3 (MPEG AudioLayer-3) players. The term “electronic device” should be broadlyunderstood and includes electronic devices of all types and designs.

MP3 format is a compressed format for digital music. Use of MP3 formatreduces the size of digitized music files without degrading ordistorting acoustic sound quality. Music is sometimes converted to MP3format and made available on the Internet. Such MP3 files can bedownloaded from the Internet using a computer and special software. Acomputer with the appropriate capability and software can convertdigital music from a CD into MP3 format. MP3 files are commonly playedin three different ways: (i) MP3 files can be played directly on acomputer that contains the requisite software, (ii) MP3 files can bedecompressed and recorded onto a CD, which can then be played, and (iii)MP3 files can be played on an MP3 player.

Portable MP3 players are relatively small, light-weight devices that caninterface with a computer. Typically, a user downloads MP3 files fromthe Internet onto a computer and then loads the MP3 files onto the MP3player. The MP3 player is connected to the computer's parallel or USBport, which allows the MP3 player to interface with the computer andreceive the MP3 files.

There are many portable MP3 players available, including thosemanufactured by Sony Corp., Philips Corp., Audiovox Corp., and AppleComputer, Inc. (e.g., Apple Computer's iPod MP3 player and iPod mini MP3player). MP3 players rely on batteries for their portability andtypically utilize headsets or ear phones for user listening. Batterylife is sometimes a problem. After a few hours of playing time, most MP3players need an alternate power source, need to be charged, or need tohave their batteries replaced. Another limitation is that these MP3players typically playback sound for only one listener at a time (e.g.,via headset or ear phones). Even if the MP3 player is equipped with aspeaker, the player's small size and light-weight design limit the sizeof the speaker, which tends to make the speaker inadequate fortransmitting music to a group of people, e.g., in a vehicle.

MP3 player accessories that attempt to overcome these limitations areavailable, for example, units to supply power to the MP3 player foroperation and/or charging (e.g., Auto Kit For iPod With Dock Connector,Part No. F8V7058-APL, from Belkin Corp.) and FM transmission systems(e.g., TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter, Part No. F8V3080-APL, fromBelkin Corp.). An FM transmission system when used in conjunction withan MP3 player allows the user to play MP3 music files stored on the MP3player through an FM audio system so that one can listen and allowothers to listen to the stored music. However, current FM transmissionsystems are often unstable and provide weak FM signals, which can resultin loss of signal or constant static hiss in the background. In suchknown FM transmission systems, the FM signal strength is sometimesweakened or lost because of inefficient antenna design (e.g., concerningits size, shape, and/or location).

Some known accessory units combine power supply and charging circuitrywith an FM transmission system. Some of these devices are capable of usein vehicles by means of a cigarette lighter adapter (e.g., U.S. Pat. No.6,591,085, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0058649,International Application Publication No. WO 2004/010594, andInternational Application Publication No. WO 2004/008649). The currentdevices available, however, are often bulky, mechanically unstable, lackversatility, produce weak FM signals, yield noisy audio output from theFM receiver (e.g., audio output with noticeable hiss), and sacrificeuser comfort and convenience. (All of the documents, including patentdocuments and product specification sheets, are incorporated herein intheir entireties for all purposes.)

Broadly speaking, accessories for electronic devices have includedvarious features that attempt to improve reliability, stability,portability, and/or functionality. Some of these features include:multiple preset buttons for user convenience; concealed buttons under asingle smooth resilient thin outside surface, which reduces the dangerof dirt getting stuck between the buttons (as in, for example, some cellphones and microwave ovens); goosenecks, which allow for increasedmaneuverability of the devices; and swivel joints, which also allow forincreased maneuverability of the devices.

Despite all of this, however, the need still remains for a versatileholder and power supply unit, desirably with RF (e.g., FM) transmissioncapabilities, for electronic devices (e.g., MP3 players) so that one caneasily utilize the full breadth of the capabilities of the electronicdevices. In the case of MP3 players, such units desirably would allowthe user (and desirably others also) to listen to the music stored onthe MP3 players. The need also exists for such units that allow theelectronic devices (e.g., MP3 players) to charge, even if the unitscontain no charging circuitry. The need also exists for such units thatare stable, light-weight, have rigid but adjustable positioningelements, and/or are portable so that they can be used, for example, invehicles. The need also exists for such units that, when designed foruse in, for example, vehicles, can accommodate a variety of cigarettelighter outlets (power supply outlets), locations, and sizes and alloweasy repositioning of the electronic device (e.g., MP3 player) for thecomfort and convenience of the driver and/or passengers. The need alsoexists for such units that produce a stronger and cleaner (e.g., moreaccurate and/or lower noise) signal, e.g., to provide or make possible ahigher signal-to-noise ratio in the audio output. The need also existsfor such units that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, for example,that are sleek and modern looking. Finally, the need also exists forsuch units that are superior in comfort, convenience, and/or electricalcapabilities when mounting, powering, and/or otherwise using the units,but without sacrificing portability, stability, versatility, and/oraesthetics.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An invention that satisfies one or more of those needs and overcomes oneor more of those problems has now been developed. Broadly, in oneaspect, the invention concerns a holder, electrical supply, and RFtransmitter unit to hold, supply power to, and receive a data (e.g.,audio) signal (i.e., at least one data signal) from an electronic device(e.g., MP3 player) when the electronic device is being held in the unitand is operating; the unit being capable of converting the data signalto an RF signal and transmitting the RF signal to an RF receiver; powerbeing available to the unit from a source external to the unit when theunit is being used; the electronic device having at least one powerinput connector through which input power for the electronic devicepasses when the electronic device is held in the unit and is operatingand at least one data signal output connector through which a dataoutput signal passes from the electronic device when the electronicdevice is held in the unit and is operating; the electronic device alsohaving a top, a bottom, and a bottom portion extending from the bottomof the device towards the top of the device; the unit comprising:

(a) an RF transmitter;

(b) a holder for the electronic device, the RF transmitter beingmechanically coupled to the holder, the holder having a power couplingto transmit power to the at least one power input connector of theelectronic device and also having a signal coupling to transmit the dataoutput signal from the at least one data signal output connector of theelectronic device to the RF transmitter, the RF transmitter convertingthe data output signal (as is or as it may possibly have been modifiedprior to entering the RF transmitter) to an RF signal;

(c) a power acquisition sub-unit that is electrically coupled to thepower coupling of the holder and that is electrically and mechanicallycoupled to the external power source when the unit is being used totransmit power from the external power source to the power coupling ofthe holder; and

(d) a connector mechanically coupling the holder to the poweracquisition sub-unit, which connector comprises a semi-rigid elongatemetallic antenna portion that allows the position of the holder to besemi-permanently adjusted relative to the position of the poweracquisition sub-unit and that is electrically coupled to the RFtransmitter to receive the RF signal and radiate it so that it can bereceived by the RF receiver.

In another aspect, the invention concerns a holder and electrical supplyunit to hold and supply power to an electronic device (e.g., MP3 player)when the electronic device is being held in the unit and is operating;power being available to the unit from a source external to the unitwhen the unit is being used; the electronic device providing a data(e.g., audio) output signal (i.e., at least one data output signal) whenthe electronic device is operating and having at least one power inputconnector through which input power for the electronic device passeswhen the electronic device is held in the unit and is operating; theelectronic device also having a top, a bottom, and a bottom portionextending from the bottom of the device towards the top of the device;the unit comprising:

(a) a holder for the electronic device, the holder having a powercoupling to transmit power to the at least one power input connector ofthe electronic device;

(b) a power acquisition sub-unit that is electrically coupled to thepower coupling of the holder and that is electrically and mechanicallycoupled to the external power source when the unit is being used totransmit power from the external power source to the power coupling ofthe holder;

(c) a connector mechanically coupling the holder to the poweracquisition sub-unit, which connector comprises a semi-rigid elongateportion that allows the position of the holder to be semi-permanentlyadjusted relative to the position of the power acquisition sub-unit; and

(d) wherein at least one of (i) and (ii) obtains (i.e., exists, is thecase, or is applicable):

-   -   (i) the semi-rigid elongate portion of the connector comprises a        gooseneck; and/or    -   (ii) the power acquisition sub-unit comprises a cigarette        lighter adapter having a housing with a distal end (i.e., the        end farther from the user when the power acquisition sub-unit is        being inserted into a power source such as a cigarette lighter),        a proximal end (i.e., the end closer to the user when the power        acquisition sub-unit is being inserted into a power source such        as a cigarette lighter), and a length running from the distal        end to the proximal end, the distal end being adapted for        insertion into and positioning within a cigarette lighter, the        cigarette lighter having a depth and an inner circumference, the        cigarette lighter adapter further comprising a deformable        resilient member having an outer circumference, the deformable        resilient member being mounted (semi-permanently or otherwise)        on the cigarette lighter adapter near the distal end so that its        outer circumference is generally perpendicular to the length of        the housing, the outer circumference of the deformable resilient        member being larger than the inner circumference of the        cigarette lighter so that pushing the distal end of the        cigarette lighter adapter into the cigarette lighter causes the        outer circumference of the deformable resilient member to bend        away from the distal end of the cigarette lighter adapter and        towards the proximal end of the cigarette lighter adapter while        at least some of the deformable resilient member even after such        deformation continues to push against the inner circumference of        the cigarette lighter.

In another aspect, the invention concerns a power acquisition unit forelectrically coupling to an electronic device and that is electricallyand mechanically coupled to an external power source when the unit isbeing used to transmit power from the external power source to theelectronic device, the power acquisition unit comprising a cigarettelighter adapter having a housing with a distal end, a proximal end, anda length running from the distal end to the proximal end, the distal endbeing adapted for insertion into and positioning within a cigarettelighter (e.g., the cigarette lighter of a vehicle), the cigarettelighter having a depth and an inner circumference, the cigarette lighteradapter further comprising a deformable resilient member having an outercircumference, the deformable resilient member being mounted(semi-permanently or otherwise) on the cigarette lighter adapter nearthe distal end so that its outer circumference is generallyperpendicular to the length of the housing, the outer circumference ofthe deformable resilient member being larger than the innercircumference of the cigarette lighter so that pushing the distal end ofthe cigarette lighter adapter into the cigarette lighter causes theouter circumference of the deformable resilient member to bend away fromthe distal end of the cigarette lighter adapter and towards the proximalend of the cigarette lighter adapter while at least some of thedeformable resilient member even after such deformation continues topush against the inner circumference of the cigarette lighter.

In another aspect, the invention concerns a power supply and supportapparatus for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising theforegoing power acquisition unit and a support member coupled to thepower acquisition unit, the support member comprising a semi-rigidelongate portion that allows the position of the electronic device to besemi-permanently adjusted relative to the position of the poweracquisition unit.

In another aspect, the invention concerns a holder for an electronicdevice comprising an inner housing comprising two or more inner housingsections and an outer piece that fits over the inner housing sections tohold the inner housing sections in close fitting alignment with eachother, the holder also having a cavity for receiving and releasablyholding the electronic device, the electronic device having a top, abottom, and a bottom portion extending from the bottom of the devicetowards the top of the device, the cavity being defined by at least abottom wall and a sidewall, the sidewall fitting around the electronicdevice to help retain the electronic device within the cavity.

In another aspect, the invention concerns an RF transmission systemcomprising a gooseneck metallic member as the antenna, the gooseneckdesirably (but not necessarily) also functioning as a structural (e.g.,support) member.

In other embodiments, one or more of the following preferably obtain(i.e., exist, are the case, or are applicable): the RF (radio frequency)transmitter (e.g., FM transmitter) is removably coupled to the holderand/or can be directly connected to the electronic device to receive adata output signal therefrom (i.e., at least one data output signal) formodulation (as is or as it may possibly be modified prior to modulation)onto a carrier wave; and/or the RF transmitter is at least partially orwholly within the holder; and/or the holder comprises an inner housingcomprising two or more inner housing sections and an outer piece thatfits over the inner housing sections to hold them in close fittingalignment with each other, optionally defining at least one inner cavitybetween the inner housing sections; and/or the RF transmitter is locatedin the inner cavity; and/or the holder has one or more controls forchanging the carrier frequency on which the RF transmitter operates andthe one or more controls (which comprise, e.g., buttons of any type) arelocated at least partially in the inner cavity; and/or the controls canbe actuated through an opening in the major face of the outer piece;and/or the buttons are all covered by a thin membrane, the membranedesirably carrying indicia on its outer surface to indicate thefunctions of the buttons; and/or the unit (e.g., the holder portion ofthe unit) has a display (e.g., an indicator light or a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD)) for indicating the function and/or status of the unit;and/or the holder has a cavity for receiving and holding at least thebottom of the electronic device; and/or the cavity is defined by atleast a bottom wall and a sidewall, the sidewall fitting around at leastthe bottom portion of the electronic device to help retain theelectronic device within the cavity; and/or the top of the sidewallextends up to 30 millimeters (preferably 5 to 25 millimeters) above thebottom wall of the cavity; and/or the holder comprises a shallow cavity(e.g., the depth of the cavity being not more than one-third of thelonger of the length and width of the cavity) for receiving andreleasably holding the bottom portion of the electronic device, theelectronic device when in the holder being held only by its bottomportion; and/or the cavity is defined at least in part by one or morebiasing members (e.g., deformable members such as crush bars orspring-loaded balls in sockets) extending into the cavity (e.g., on thebottom wall, top wall, or sidewall of the cavity) that push against theelectronic device when the electronic device is located in the cavityand that help retain the electronic device within the cavity; and/or theholder and/or its cavity has one or more protruding members (e.g.,attached to the bottom wall and extending away therefrom) and theelectronic device has one or more mating concavities (e.g., having theirrespective openings in the bottom of the device), the one or moreprotruding members extending into the corresponding mating concavitiesof the electronic device when the electronic device is held in the unit,the protruding members being, e.g., alignment pins or a power and/orsignal coupling (e.g., a male or female multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin)connector); and/or the holder has a display for indicating the carrierfrequency of the RF signal; and/or the unit (e.g., the holder) has atleast one control for changing the carrier frequency on which the RFtransmitter operates; and/or the unit (e.g., the holder) has one or morereprogrammable pre-sets, each one capable of being semi-permanently setto select a carrier frequency on which the RF transmitter can operate,the activation of any one of the presets causing the RF transmitter tooperate on the carrier frequency to which that preset has beenprogrammed; and/or the semi-rigid elongate metallic antenna portion ofthe connector comprises a gooseneck; and/or the connector ismechanically coupled to the holder through a swivel joint; and/or thegooseneck is directly connected to the swivel joint; and/or theconnector is directly mechanically connected to the power acquisitionsub-unit; and/or the power acquisition sub-unit comprises a cigarettelighter adapter; and/or the cigarette lighter adapter comprises ahousing having a distal end, a proximal end, and a length running fromthe distal end to the proximal end, the distal end being adapted forinsertion into and positioning within a cigarette lighter (e.g., thecigarette lighter of a vehicle), the cigarette lighter having a depthand an inner circumference; and/or the cigarette lighter adapter furthercomprises a deformable resilient member having an outer circumference,the deformable resilient member being mounted (semi-permanently orotherwise) on the cigarette lighter adapter near the distal end so thatits outer circumference is generally perpendicular to the length of thehousing; and/or the outer circumference of the deformable resilientmember is larger than the inner circumference of the cigarette lighterso that pushing the distal end of the cigarette lighter adapter into thecigarette lighter causes the outer circumference of the deformableresilient member to bend away from the distal end of the cigarettelighter adapter and towards the proximal end of the cigarette lighteradapter while at least some of the deformable resilient member evenafter such deformation continues to push against the inner circumferenceof the cigarette lighter, thereby stabilizing the cigarette lighteradapter in the cigarette lighter; and/or the cigarette lighter adaptercarries a retainer between the deformable resilient member and thedistal end of the cigarette lighter adapter to fix the deformableresilient member in position on the cigarette lighter adapter along thelength of the cigarette lighter adapter; and/or the length of thecigarette lighter adapter is greater than the depth of the cigarettelighter so that the proximal end of the cigarette lighter adapter is notwithin the cigarette lighter when the distal end of the cigarettelighter adapter is fully positioned within (i.e., pushed all the wayinto) the cigarette lighter; and/or the connector is coupled tocigarette lighter adapter near the proximal end of the cigarette lighteradapter; and/or the power acquisition sub-unit has an audio outputconnector, which preferably makes available an output signal that is thesame as or is derived from the data output signal from the electronicdevice; and/or the RF transmission system is capable of being (but isnot necessarily) mechanically coupled to a structure in an environment(e.g., a cabinet, a vehicle, a building), the environment having an RFreceiving system (e.g., an audio system), the RF transmission systemdesirably being designed to transmit an RF signal to the RF receivingsystem; and/or the RF transmission system is designed to be mechanicallyand electrically coupled to a vehicle, the vehicle having an audiosystem and an electrical system, for supporting the RF transmissionsystem and drawing power from the electrical system of the vehicle, theRF transmission system being capable of transmitting an RF signal to theaudio system; and/or the RF transmission system is designed to transmitan RF signal to the audio system of a vehicle; and/or the holder furthercomprises a cavity for receiving and releasably holding an RFtransmitter and which has a connector to electrically couple the RFtransmitter to the electronic device.

As used herein, “vehicle” and the like should be broadly understood andrefer to vehicles of all types and designs, including watercraft,aircraft (both lighter-than-air and heavier-than-air), automobiles,trucks, carriages, golf carts, motorcycles, etc.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements or signals, electrically and/or mechanically, either directlyor indirectly through intervening circuitry and/or elements. Two or moreelectrical elements may be electrically coupled, either direct orindirectly, but not be mechanically coupled; two or more mechanicalelements may be mechanically coupled, either direct or indirectly, butnot be electrically coupled; two or more electrical elements may bemechanically coupled, directly or indirectly, but not be electricallycoupled; etc, Coupling (whether only mechanical, only electrical, orboth) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanentor only for an instant.

“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood andinclude coupling involving any electrical signal, whether a powersignal, a data signal, or mixture of the two.

“Mechanical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood andinclude mechanical coupling of all types.

“Semi-permanently” and the like should be broadly understood and referto a position, coupling, etc. being able to be held until it is changed.For example, the connector may comprise a semi-rigid elongate metallicantenna portion that allows the position of the holder to besemi-permanently adjusted relative to the position of the poweracquisition sub-unit. Thus, while keeping the power acquisition sub-unitin position, the semi-rigid elongate metallic antenna portion can be putinto one position, which it holds until it is put into another position,which it then holds until changed from that second position, therebytwice semi-permanently adjusting the position of the holder relative tothe position of the power acquisition sub-unit. Significant advantagesof using a gooseneck as the connector include its being readilyrepositionable from one semi-permanent position to another, which helpsmake units of this invention usable in virtually any vehicle, eventhough vehicles differ widely in what obstructions (knobs, levers, etc.)are located near their cigarette lighters, because the gooseneck andholder can be adjusted so easily to avoid those obstructions.

As another example, the deformable resilient member (e.g., stabilizer154 in, e.g., FIG. 9) may be, but need not be, semi-permanently mountedon the cigarette lighter adapter (e.g., power acquisition sub-unit 102of FIG. 9 comprises a cigarette lighter adapter), e.g., the deformableresilient member may instead be permanently mounted. Thus, thedeformable resilient member is preferably fixed in position on thecigarette lighter adapter but may be removed (e.g., by first unscrewingand removing nut 146 and retaining washer 158), e.g., to replace thedeformable resilient member.

As another example, each one of the pre-sets of the RF transmissionsystem may desirably be semi-permanently set to select a carrierfrequency on which the RF transmitter can operate. Thus, e.g., a pre-setcan be set to a carrier frequency and it will hold (i.e., correspond to)that frequency until that pre-set is reprogrammed to a differentfrequency. The term “pre-set” should be broadly understood to includeany type of mechanism (whether or not having moving parts) that allowsinformation, such as a frequency, to be set and held in the mechanismfor later use. The one or more pre-sets used in the present inventiondesirably are programmable by the user but need not be (e.g., they maybe permanently set by the manufacturer and not be reprogrammable by theuser).

“Semi-rigid” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to amember being sufficiently flexible, pliable, etc. so that it holds aposition and shape when not stressed but can be bent, twisted, etc.,preferably without damaging the member. Thus, a semi-rigid member ispreferably not so rigid that attempts to bend, twist, etc. it cause itto break, crack, etc. rather than bend, twist, etc. However, a wireitself would not be a semi-rigid elongate portion that allows theposition of the holder to be semi-permanently adjusted relative to theposition of the power acquisition sub-unit because, among other reasons,a wire by itself is not rigid or strong enough to support andsemi-permanently maintain in the desired position either the emptyholder or the holder when holding the electronic device.

The term “external power source” and the like should be broadlyunderstood and refer to a source of electrical power outside of the itemin question. For example, an external power source with respect to(i.e., outside of) the embodiments of this invention include a batterypack that is not part of the embodiment, a power plug or jack of avehicle (e.g., the cigarette lighter of a car), or even the electricalsystem of the electronic device with which the embodiment of thisinvention is being used.

The term “circumference” and the like should be broadly understood andrefer to some or all of the periphery of a member, regardless of theshape of the member (e.g., whether or not the shape of that member isall or partially concave, convex, straight, or a mixture of all three,and whether all or partially circular, elliptical, or otherwise curved,polygonal (e.g., triangular, square, pentagonal) or otherwise angular,etc.). Accordingly, the expression “the outer circumference of thedeformable resilient member being larger than the inner circumference ofthe cigarette lighter” should be broadly understood to mean that atleast some (but not necessarily all) of the periphery of the deformableresilient member extends radially beyond at least some of the peripheryof the cigarette lighter. The outer circumference of the deformableresilient member need not have the same shape as the inner circumferenceof a cigarette lighter of a car (or other power source). Preferably,however, the deformable resilient member and the power source both havecircular peripheries and all of the outer circumference (edge) of thedeformable resilient member extends beyond the inner circumference ofthe power source.

This invention can provide a combined holder, electrical supply, andoptional RF transmitter unit for an electronic device to be used, e.g.,in a vehicle, having one or more of the following features andadvantages: the unit may be mechanically mounted (desirablysemi-permanently but otherwise, e.g., permanently, is also possible),e.g., to the vehicle, at only one point (e.g., by the cigarette lighteradapter); the unit is readily (i.e., rapidly and easily) connected,e.g., to the vehicle (the mechanical and electrical connection is mademerely by plugging the power acquisition sub-unit (comprising acigarette lighter adapter) into the vehicle's cigarette lighter; theunit remains connected to the vehicle even on bumpy roads and goingaround turns and resists rotation and other movement with respect to thevehicle, thereby keeping the electronic device in the desired positionin the vehicle (in other words, the unit is stable); the unit islight-weight; the unit allows the position of the electronic device inthe vehicle to be easily and semi-permanently adjusted (e.g., by meansof a preferred gooseneck between the holder and the cigarette lighteradapter and/or by means of a preferred swivel joint between thegooseneck and the holder); the unit accommodates electronic devices ofdifferent sizes and holds them securely, even on bumpy roads and goingaround turns; the unit can provide power from the vehicle's electricalsystem to the electronic device; the cigarette lighter adapter of theunit accommodates cigarette lighters of different sizes and shapes; theunit converts the data output signal received from the electronic device(as is or as it may be modified) to an RF signal, which is thentransmitted to the vehicle's audio system by using the gooseneck, whenmade of metal, as the broadcast antenna, the gooseneck thus functioningas an adjustable, repositionable mechanical support and connectingelement and as an electronic signal transmission element, therebyproviding a better signal to the vehicle's audio system; the unitproduces a stronger and cleaner (e.g., more accurate) signal, e.g., toprovide or facilitate a higher signal-to-noise ratio in the audiooutput; the unit allows the carrier frequency of the RF transmitter tobe changed easily and rapidly and has a number of pre-sets for storingdifferent carrier frequency information so that the unit can easily andrapidly be switched from one available pre-determined carrier(broadcast) frequency to another (e.g., by depressing the button thathas been pre-programmed by the user to the desired one of the userpredetermined carrier frequencies); a one-piece resilient protectivemembrane covers all of the buttons, thereby keeping dirt from enteringthe mechanism; the RF transmitter can be releasably held in the holder;both the electronic device and RF transmitter can be removed from theholder and coupled directly to each other and removed (if desired) fromthe vicinity of the rest of the unit (thereby allowing the transmitterto broadcast the RF signal (e.g., FM signal) to another RF receiver(e.g., in the user's home or office or in another vehicle equipped witha holder and power acquisition sub-unit unit of this invention; and theunit is sleek and modern looking.

Some electronic devices have their own internal batteries and internalcharging circuits (e.g., Apple Computer's iPod mini MP3 player). A unitof the present invention can provide power to such electronic devicesand allow them to charge even though the unit of this inventionpreferably does not itself have any charging circuitry.

The invention can also provide a power acquisition unit for supplyingpower to an electronic device, and/or a power supply and supportapparatus for an electronic device, and/or a holder for an electronicdevice, and/or an RF transmission system for use in a vehicle, eachhaving one or more features and advantages described above.

A combined holder, electrical supply, and optional RF transmitter unitof this invention can be mounted in the cigarette lighter (or otherpower connection) of virtually any vehicle (this adaptability is madepossible by various features, including the stabilizer on the poweracquisition sub-unit), and the holder can be positioned with respect tothe power acquisition sub-unit so that the holder, the electronicdevice, and the connector do not interfere with the knobs, levers, etc.in the vehicle (this adaptability is made possible by various features,including the adjustability of the connector, e.g., the gooseneck, whichdesirably also functions as the RF antenna). In short, the presentinvention can provide a “one-size-can-fit-virtually-all” combinedholder, power supply, and optional RF transmitter unit for electronicdevices.

Other features and advantages are described below and still others willbe apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate further description of the invention, the followingdrawings are provided in which:

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention situated inan automobile, with an electronic device, more specifically an MP3player (iPod mini MP3 player), attached, which embodiment contains an FMtransmitter (an RF transmitter) for converting the data (audio) signalfrom the MP3 player and broadcasting it via an antenna (in this case, ametallic gooseneck that is part of the unit of this invention) to theautomobile's FM receiver;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective representational view of the unit of FIG.1, with an iPod mini MP3 player attached;

FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the unit, with an iPod mini MP3player attached;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the unit, with an iPod mini MP3player attached;

FIG. 5 is a right-side elevational view of the unit, with an iPod miniMP3 player attached;

FIG. 6 is a left-side elevational view of the unit, with an iPod miniMP3 player attached;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the unit, with an iPod mini MP3 player attached;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the unit, with an iPod mini MP3 playerattached;

FIG. 9 is a close-up view of the power acquisition sub-unit (whichcomprises a cigarette lighter adapter) of the unit with part of itsouter housing (end cap) removed;

FIG. 10 shows the cigarette lighter adapter just prior to insertion ofits distal end into the cigarette lighter of an automobile (i.e., anexternal source of power);

FIG. 11 depicts the unit's cigarette lighter adapter after its distalend has been fully pushed into the cigarette lighter;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial view of the top, bottom wall, andsidewall of the unit's holder (support assembly), which receives theiPod mini MP3 player when the invention is in use (i.e., when theelectronic device is in the holder);

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the back inner enclosure member of thesupport assembly (holder);

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the support assembly (holder);

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the cigarette lighter adapter;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of a second preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, with an iPod mini MP3 player attached, whichembodiment supplies power to the iPod mini MP3 player but does notcontain an FM transmitter, the audio output being available, e.g., via ajack in the cigarette lighter adapter;

FIG. 17 is a right-side elevational view of the unit of FIG. 16, with aniPod mini MP3 player attached;

FIG. 18 is a left-side elevational view of the unit of FIG. 16, with anipod mini MP3 player attached;

FIG. 19 is a top view of the unit of FIG. 16, with an iPod mini MP3player attached;

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 16, with an iPod mini MP3player attached;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with an iPodmini MP3 player attached;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of the holder (support assembly) andgooseneck antenna of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 23 is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of thisinvention, with an iPod mini MP3 player attached.

These drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be usedto unduly limit the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The shapes, dimensions, materials of construction, arrangements of theparts, etc. of the various embodiments of this invention are notcritical except as otherwise noted, and any shapes, dimensions,materials of construction, arrangements of the parts, etc. may be usedprovided they allow those embodiments to operate and one or more of thebenefits of this invention to be achieved.

FIG. 1 shows one preferred embodiment of this invention located in apreferred environment (a vehicle, namely, a car). Thus, FIG. 1 showscigarette lighter adapter-gooseneck-transmitter 100 (i.e., a holder,electrical supply, and RF transmitter unit) holding (supporting) iPodmini MP3 player 500 (i.e., an electronic device) just in front ofautomobile console 103. Cigarette lighter adapter-gooseneck-transmitter100 comprises holder (support assembly) 101, gooseneck 104 (connector),and power acquisition sub-unit 102 (comprising a cigarette lighteradapter), which is plugged into cigarette lighter 105 (i.e., an externalpower source).

The term “cigarette lighter” is to be broadly understood and includesany power source, whether or not in a vehicle and whether or notcustomarily used or designed for lighting cigarettes. Similarly, theterm “cigarette lighter adapter” is to be broadly understood andincludes any member, device, etc. at least a part of which mechanicallymates with or fits into a “cigarette lighter” (as that term is to bebroadly understood) and can draw power from it.

Although the power acquisition sub-unit is preferably removably coupledto the power source (e.g., cigarette lighter), the power acquisitionsub-unit may in some cases be permanently affixed to the power source.For example, a driver of a vehicle who does not smoke may obtain a unitof this invention and hard-wire it into the cigarette lighter of thevehicle.

The term “removably coupled” and the like should be broadly understoodand refer to one item (e.g., the power acquisition sub-unit, which maycomprise a cigarette lighter adapter) being readily coupled to (e.g., bypushing) and readily uncoupled from (e.g., by pulling) another item(e.g., a power source, such as a vehicle's cigarette lighter). Theabsence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word“coupled,” “connected,” and the like does not mean that the coupling,connection, etc. in question is or is not removable. For example, therecitation of a cigarette lighter adapter being coupled to a powersource does not mean that the cigarette lighter adapter cannot beremoved (readily or otherwise) from, or that it is permanently connectedto, the power source.

Broadly speaking, and as explained below, power from the cigarettelighter flows through the cigarette lighter adapter, through one or moreconductors (not shown) inside gooseneck 104, and to holder 101. Some ofthe power entering the holder flows to the FM transmitter (discussedbelow), which is inside the holder, and some of the power flows to theiPod mini MP3 player, which is held by holder 101. A data signal flowsfrom the iPod mini MP3 player to the FM transmitter, which processes thedata to produce an FM signal (an RF signal). The gooseneck is made ofmetal, and the FM signal is sent to (electrically coupled to) thegooseneck, which functions as an antenna in addition to its functioningas a repositionable mechanical connection and support between holder 101and power acquisition sub-unit 102.

Gooseneck 104 has been positioned (e.g., by bending) and holder 101 hasbeen turned with respect to power acquisition sub-unit 104 so that thefront of iPod mini MP3 player 500 is readily viewable by the driver ofthe vehicle. That permits the driver to read the information provided byliquid crystal display 120, such as the carrier (broadcast) frequency towhich the FM transmitter is tuned, and also to read the information onbutton-covering membrane 122, which covers six pushbuttons. The membraneprovides a neat appearance and keeps dirt from entering the pushbuttonand other mechanisms inside the inner cavity of holder 101.

Although pushbuttons are used in this embodiment, any type of button canbe used and the term “button” should be broadly understood to refer toany type of mechanism (with or without moving parts) whereby the usercan input to the unit of this invention his or her data (for example,selection of a frequency), e.g., a mechanical pushbutton, anelectrostatic pushbutton, an electrostatic array, or any other inputdevice of any type.

Two of the six pushbuttons under the membrane are up-down frequencyselection buttons, which allow the carrier frequency (on which the FMsignal will be broadcast) to be adjusted up or down within the unit'srange (e.g., 88.1 to 107.9 MHz), and four of which control pre-sets.Thus, a carrier frequency within the range may be selected by thevehicle's driver using the up-down buttons and then, if desired, one ofthe pre-sets can be semi-permanently set (programmed) to that carrierfrequency (e.g., by depressing the desired one of the four dedicatedpre-set buttons for a sufficient length of time, e.g., a few seconds).The FM transmitter will operate at the selected frequency whether or nota pre-set is programmed to correspond to that frequency. The pre-setsmay be re-set at any time to any desired frequency within the allowedrange. The FM (RF) receiver of the car's audio system is set in theusual way to the same frequency on which the transmitter is operating sothat it receives the signal being broadcast by the unit of thisinvention.

The RF (radio frequency) spectrum is often considered to run from about10 kHz (kilohertz) or below to about 100 GHz (gigahertz) or above, andthe RF transmitter of this invention can utilize any appropriatefrequency and/or any type of RF transmitter, including an AM (amplitudemodulation) transmitter, an FM (frequency modulation) transmitter, aBluetooth transmitter, or any other type of suitable RF transmitter. Fora civilian vehicle (e.g., family car), either FM or AM frequencies andtransmitters desirably will be used, with FM being preferred because ofits superior sound quality as compared to AM.

The unit of this invention holds iPod mini MP3 player 500 tightly inposition even though the iPod mini is held only at its bottom portion.The unit is easily adjustable (both electronically and mechanically),provides power and FM (RF) transmission capability, provides a strong FM(RF) signal (thereby improving the quality of the audio output), issleek and aesthetically appealing, and allows easy repositioning of theholder with respect to the cigarette lighter adapter to accommodate awide range of vehicles (which vary widely as to where their cigarettelighters are located and what other potentially spatially interferingmembers, e.g., gear shift levers, are nearby).

With reference now to FIGS. 2 through 8, 13, and 14, cigarette lighteradapter-gooseneck-transmitter unit 100 is again seen to comprise holder101 (in which iPod mini MP3 player 500 is firmly held at its bottomportion), power acquisition sub-unit 102, and gooseneck (connector) 104.iPod mini MP3 player 500, which is not part of this invention, hasbottom 502, top 504, liquid crystal display 506, and control wheel 508.Holder 101 comprises outer enclosure 112, which has bottom 114 and top116, and inner enclosure (“clam shell”), which comprises front innerenclosure member 106 and back inner enclosure member 138. Outerenclosure 112 is a one-piece (unitary) member, which slips over frontinner enclosure member 106 and back inner enclosure member 138 and holdsthem in close-fitting abutment. Front inner enclosure member 106 andback inner enclosure member 138 are not mirror images of one another.Thus, each of racetrack-shaped bottom 108 and top 110 is part of frontinner enclosure member 106. Inner enclosure alignment and retention tabs198 (along the top and bottom edges of back inner enclosure member 138),tabs 206 (along the back edge of top 110 of front inner enclosure member106), and alignment slots 196 help maintain members 106 and 138 inproper registry with one another.

As best appreciated from FIGS. 13 and 14, the two inner enclosuremembers 106 and 138 together define at least one inner cavity betweenthem in which printed circuit board (PCB) 170 is held. Alignment pins210 on the inside surface of back inner enclosure member 138 fit intoprinted circuit board slots 208 to fix the printed circuit board inposition in the inner cavity. With reference briefly also to FIG. 22,printed circuit board 170 carries liquid crystal display 120, sixmomentary pushbutton switches 190, microprocessor 223, stereo modulatorand FM transmitter circuitry 225, attenuation circuit 227, and 30-pindock connector 171 (see also FIG. 12). As will be understood by oneskilled in the art, microprocessor 223, stereo modulator and FMtransmitter circuitry 225, and attenuation circuit 227 (the functioningof each of which is further described below) may be placed in anyconvenient location on printed circuit board 170.

Returning to FIG. 14, six pushbuttons 168 (the six pushbuttons describedabove for selecting the broadcast frequency) are held in proper registryabove the six momentary pushbutton switches 190 by button frame 166.Button frame 166 is held in position with respect to the six momentarypushbutton switches by being held in opening 182 of front innerenclosure member 106. Member 106 is itself held in position with respectto back inner enclosure member 138, which carries printed circuit board170 with momentary pushbutton switches 190, in the manner previouslydescribed. Button frame alignment pins 200 on the back face of buttonframe 166 snap into and are fixedly held in the spaces between buttonframe alignment and retention tabs 204.

Imperforate button-covering membrane 122, which is held in opening 182in front inner enclosure member 106, overlies the six pushbuttons,thereby protecting them and their momentary pushbutton switches fromdirt. Membrane 122 carries indicia 150 to indicate the function of thetwo up-down buttons and indicia 152 to indicate the function of thebuttons that control the pre-sets (FIG. 4). Membrane 122 may be held inplace by being affixed to button frame 166, e.g., by adhesive. The faceof liquid crystal display 120 is visible through opening 180 in frontinner enclosure member 106. Membrane 122 is flexible so that pushing theindicia for a button also pushes in the button beneath that indicia.

After printed circuit board 170 and its accompanying elements have beenput in place in and on front and back inner closure members 106 and 138and the two members 106 and 138 have been aligned and brought together,outer enclosure 112 is slid down over the inner enclosure assemblageuntil outer enclosure alignment and locking slots 202 (at the bottom ofthe back of outer enclosure 112) interlock with two mating raisedportions (not shown) on the bottom of the outer surface of back innerclosure member 138, thereby locking the two inner members together andlocking itself to the two inner members. In this locked assemblage ofthe three enclosure members (outer enclosure 112 and inner enclosuremembers 106 and 138), face 113 overlies liquid crystal display 120 andopening 178 coincides with button-covering membrane 122 (in opening182), thereby protecting the face of liquid crystal display 120 andallowing the control pushbuttons to be pressed by the user to adjust thebroadcast frequency.

As best seen in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, only the bottom portion ofiPod mini MP3 player 500 is held in cavity 109. By “bottom portion” ofan electronic device that can be held by an embodiment of this inventionis meant the portion of the device running from (and including) thebottom of the electronic device toward the top of the electronic deviceand typically ending no higher than bottom of controls of the electronicdevice so that the ability to use the electronic device is not impaired.Typically, “bottom portion” means the lower 40% or less of the device,typically the lower 33% or less of the device, desirably the lower 25%or less of the device, and preferably the lower 20% or less of thedevice. For small electronic devices (e.g., Apple Computer's iPod miniMP3 player), the bottom portion will typically be the lower 30millimeters or less of the device, desirably the lower 25 millimeters orless of the device (e.g., in the range of to 25 millimeters), andpreferably the lower 20 millimeters or less of the device (e.g., in therange of 6 to 20 millimeters). For the iPod mini MP3 player, the bottomportion is approximately the lower 9 millimeters.

Cavity 109 of holder 101 desirably has a height sufficient to tightlyhold just the bottom portion of the electronic device. The bottom ofcavity 109 is defined by top 110 of front inner enclosure member 106.Referring also to FIG. 12, sidewall 111 of cavity 109 is formed by thatportion of outer enclosure 112 that extends above top 110, the sidewallextending from the bottom of cavity 109 to top 116 of outer enclosure112 (the depth of cavity 109 being indicated by reference numeral 118).Thus, when iPod mini MP3 player 500 is pushed down into cavity 109 sothat its bottom 502 contacts top 110, sidewall 111 of cavity 109encircles and holds the bottom portion of iPod mini MP3 player 500.

Still referring to FIG. 12, outer enclosure 112 has ledge or rim 117,which runs around the inner surface of outer enclosure 112 near its top116. Rim 117 fits into a dado (groove) that runs around the periphery oftop 110 of front inner enclosure member 106 and that is essentially thesame size (height and width) as rim 117. Rim 117 thus acts as a verticalstop member and helps keep the assemblage of the two inner enclosuremembers 106 and 138 from moving inside outer enclosure 112. Furthermore,in the locked assemblage of outer enclosure 112 and the two innerenclosure members 106 and 138, top 110 and rim 117 together constitutean even (constant height) bottom for cavity 109.

It will be understood by one skilled in the art that cavity 109 may bedeeper (i.e., sidewall 111 may extend higher above the bottom of cavity109) so as to provide more area to grip the electronic device that isplaced into the cavity. For example, with reference to FIG. 2, top 116could be higher up, e.g., up to or above control wheel 508, in whichcase a cut-out at the front of cavity 109 would desirably be provided sothat control wheel 508 was sufficiently (preferably completely)accessible. It will also be understood by one skilled in the art thatcavity 109 may completely contain the electronic device, that is, thecavity may be formed by members that run along the sides of the deviceand are connected by a top member to completely encircle the electronicdevice. Cavity 109 may have any size and shape desired, consistent withthe size and shape of the electronic device and the environment in whichthe unit of this invention will be used to hold and supply power to theelectronic device.

Although the cavity is desirably manufactured to provide as littledistance as possible between the inner surface of the sidewall and theouter surface of the electronic device (so that the device will befirmly held in the cavity), as a practical matter, the cavity cannot bemanufactured to provide a perfect fit under all conditions (e.g., withchanges in ambient temperature) for several reasons, includingvariations in dimensions of both the cavity and the electronic devicearising from manufacturing tolerances. Biasing members help avoid thisproblem.

Cavity 109 desirably is defined at least in part by biasing members (notshown) that help hold the electronic device in position. Any type of oneor more biasing members may be used, e.g., deformable plastic and/orelastic materials (e.g., elastomers and plastomers), spring-biasedmembers (for example, leaf springs, ball-in-socket detents), and thelike. The biasing members may be located at any one or more convenientlocations in the cavity, for example, along the sidewall. Biasingmembers help hold the device in position in the cavity by pushingagainst the device (even minimally), thereby forcing it towards anothermember that defines the cavity. Thus, placing a biasing member at thebottom of the cavity (which would push the electronic device upwards)would generally be counterproductive unless the cavity was defined atleast in part by a top element against which the top of the device wouldbe pushed by such a biasing member.

One preferred biasing member is a deformable crush bar, made, e.g., ofplastic, on the inside of the sidewall (so that it faces the electronicdevice when it is in cavity 109) and arranged with its longitudinal axislying vertically. Without crush bars or the like, dimensional variationsarising from manufacturing tolerances (in the manufacture of the holderas well as of the electronic device) might result in there being toomuch distance between the cavity sidewall and the outer surface of theelectronic device and, therefore, insufficient frictional engagementbetween the inner surface of the cavity and the outer surface of theelectronic device.

In some possible embodiments of this invention for holding and supplyingpower to iPod mini MP3 player 500, two crush bars are used in cavity 109of holder 101, arranged with the two crush bars symmetrically located onthe rear straight portion of the inside of the sidewall, approximately15 to 30 millimeters apart (the straight portion of each sidewall isapproximately 40 millimeters long in a holder for iPod mini MP3 player500) and with each crush bar measuring approximately 9 millimeters long(i.e., as long as the cavity is high), approximately 0.5 millimetersdeep (the distance away from the sidewall towards the electronicdevice), and approximately 1 to 2 millimeters wide (the side-to-sidedistance). The crush bars are preferably sloped or chamfered so thatthey extend away from the rear inside wall their maximum depth (i.e.,approximately 0.5 millimeters) at the bottom of the cavity and less thanthat (e.g., 0.1 millimeters or less) at the top of the cavity. In theseembodiments, the two crush bars are desirably made integral with outerenclosure 112 by being molded as part of the outer enclosure (ratherthan being affixed to it after it has been made). Preferably, however,crush bars are not used.

With reference again to FIGS. 12 and 14, two alignment pins 192 (onlyone of which is shown) rise up from top 110 of front inner enclosuremember 106, i.e., alignment pins are attached to and extend up away fromthe bottom of cavity 109. Alignment pins 192 fit into (i.e., mate with)corresponding concavities (not shown) in the bottom of iPod mini MP3player 500. Dock connector 171, which is attached to printed circuitboard 170 and has front wall 173, back wall 175, and receivingslot/receptacles 177 (for the pins of the multi-pin connector of theiPod mini MP3 player), passes through opening 119 in top 110 of frontinner enclosure member 106. Dock connector 171 is mechanically coupledto back inner enclosure member 138 and aligned by means of alignmenttabs 181 (FIG. 13) as well as being coupled to printed circuit board170, which is coupled to back inner enclosure member 138 by alignmentpins 210.

The dock connector mates with a corresponding concavity in the iPod miniMP3 player in which a multi-pin connector (i.e., a 30-pin connector,which is not shown) is located, and the slots/receptacles of the dockconnector receive and mate with the pins of the pin connector.Electrical signals, as power and/or data, flow from and to theelectronic device in cavity 109 through the multi-pin connector and dockconnector when the electronic device is being held in the cavity. Thereceptacles in dock connector 171 are electrically coupled to pins 179on its bottom side, which pins extend into the inner cavity (FIG. 13).At least some of those pins are directly or indirectly electricallycoupled to printed circuit board 170 inside holder 101 for carryingelectrical signals, as power and/or data, between the electronic deviceand the unit of this invention.

Because the multi-pin connector is recessed in the bottom of the iPodmini MP3 player 500 and the opening to that concavity is not much largerin cross-section than the portion of dock connector 171 that extendsabove top 110 and has the same cross-sectional shape (FIG. 12), dockconnector 171 when in that concavity also helps hold iPod mini MP3player 500 firmly in cavity 109 of holder 101. Thus, iPod mini MP3player 500 is held in the holder by the mechanical and frictionalengagement of the MP3 player's outer surface with the inner surface ofcavity 109 (including the preferred crush bars), by the engagement ofalignment pins 192 with mating concavities in the bottom of the MP3player, by the engagement of dock connector 171 with the matingconcavity for the multi-pin connector in the bottom of the MP3 player,and by the engagement of the pins of the multi-pin connector of the MP3player with the mating receptacles of the dock connector.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, any suitable number ofalignment pins or other protuberances (or recesses that mate withprotuberances of the electronic device) may be used to help hold theelectronic device in the holder, and they may have any suitable size,shape, and location. There will usually be at least one protuberance inthe cavity, namely, an electrical connector for the flow of power and/ordata signals between the unit of this invention and the electronicdevice held by it. Other protuberances (e.g., alignment pins) may alsobe used, depending on the availability, location, size, and shape ofrecesses in the electronic device. Although protuberances that help holdthe electronic device in the holder will typically be in the cavity ofthe holder at the bottom, one or more such protuberances may be on theelectronic device and/or may be in the cavity of the holder at alocation other than the bottom. Thus, if a holder is designed tocompletely encircle the electronic device when it is being held, theholder may have a partial or complete back wall and one or more of theprotuberances (or recesses) may be located on the back wall.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 et seq., the holder has thefollowing approximate dimensions. The outer enclosure is 6.3 centimetershigh, 5.6 centimeters wide (the tangent-to-tangent distance from theoutside surface of one curved end of the racetrack cross-sectional areaof the holder to the outside surface of the other curved end), and 1.8centimeters deep (the distance between the outer surfaces of the frontand back of the holder). The outer enclosure is made of clear plasticapproximately 1.5 millimeters thick. The assemblage of the front andback inner enclosures 106 and 138 is approximately 5.4 centimeters high,5.3 centimeters wide (the tangent-to-tangent distance from the outsidesurface of one curved end of the racetrack cross-sectional area of theassemblage to the outside surface of the other curved end), and 1.5centimeters deep (the distance between the outer surfaces of the frontand back of the assemblage). The inner enclosure members are made ofcolored plastic approximately 1.5 centimeters thick, although varioustabs, walls defining alignment holes, etc. may be of differentthicknesses. Rim 117 (see FIG. 12) is located on the inner surface ofouter enclosure 112, about 9 millimeters below its top edge 116. Rim 117is approximately 1 millimeter wide and approximately 1 millimeter thick,and there is a corresponding mating grove running around the peripheryof the assemblage of the two inner enclosure members. Alignment pins 192are generally rectangular solids, approximately 4 millimeters long, 2millimeters wide, and 3 millimeters high, rising from top 110 of frontinner enclosure member 106 and spaced about 1 millimeter from itsperiphery. Opening 180 for liquid crystal display 120 is approximately3.1 centimeters long and 1.4 centimeters high, and openings 178 and 182for button-covering membrane 122 are each approximately 4.1 centimeterslong and 2.1 centimeters high.

The holder may be made of any sufficiently hard formable material(desirably scratch-resistant and sufficiently rigid), although plastic,particularly engineering plastic, will usually be employed (except forthose parts that must be made of another material, e.g., the conductiveportions, such as the electrodes). One preferred material ispolycarbonate, which is available from GE Plastics, Pittsfield, Mass.,US, under the name Lexan.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 8, unit 101 also comprises connector 104,which mechanically and electrically connects holder 101 to poweracquisition sub-unit 102 (further described below). Connector 104desirably comprises a gooseneck and in preferred embodiments is made ofmetal so that it can be used as a broadcast antenna by the RFtransmitter.

With reference also to FIGS. 13 and 14, connector 104 is coupled toholder 101 through swivel connector 142, which comprises swivelconnector flange 186 and hollow protrusion 188. Both flange 186 andprotrusion 188 are circular, but flange 186 is of larger diameter thanprotrusion 188. Protrusion 188 has a peripheral circular groove next toits end face, with flange 186 lying against the rear outer surface ofback inner enclosure member 138 when assembled. In the assembled unit,protrusion 188 passes through the central circular opening of frictionwasher 176 (which lies between flange 186 and the rear outer surface ofback inner enclosure member 138), through circular opening 184 of member138, and then through the central circular opening of washer 174 (whichlies against the inner surface of back inner enclosure member 138).Retaining ring 172, which presses against, frictionally engages, andmoves with washer 174, is snapped (friction fit) into the peripheralcircular groove, thereby locking protrusion 188 inside the inner cavityformed when front and rear inner enclosure members 106 and 138 arejoined together. Retaining ring 172 is free to revolve around protrusion188 because the retaining ring is free to move along the circumferenceof the groove. Accordingly, back inner housing member 138, which pressestightly against washer 174, which in turn presses tightly againstretaining ring 172, is free to rotate 360 degrees around protrusion 188.

Swivel connector 142 and connector 104 are hollow, thereby allowingelectrical wires to be run through them, e.g., from power acquisitionsub-unit 102 up to holder 101. Swivel connector 142 is attached to top140 of connector 104 by any suitable means, e.g., press fitting, screws,adhesive, swaging, or any combination thereof. As best seen in FIG. 5,swivel connector 142 is desirably at an angle 141 (preferably fixed) ofapproximately 20 degrees to the back of holder 101, although smaller orlarger angles may be used in some cases. That angle facilitatespositioning the holder (and, therefore, the electronic device) away fromthe knobs, levers, etc. that are typically on or near the console of avehicle.

Connector 104 is preferably a gooseneck, which is compliant (orobedient) flexible tubing, and is preferably metallic or metal coveredwith, e.g., plastic or elastic material on its outside. A gooseneck maybe considered to be a coiled layered construction in which adjacentcoils overlap but can be moved with respect to each other (in a sense,slide on each other). The gooseneck tends to hold the position intowhich it is bent (i.e., it is semi-permanently adjustable orrepositionable), unless it is bent beyond its limit. The two “layers” ofthe gooseneck may be considered to have different thicknesses. Thus, thegooseneck has two outer diameters, the outer diameter of the thickerlayer and the outer diameter of the thinner layer, which alternate inthe gooseneck. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 et seq., themetallic gooseneck is approximately 19.5 centimeters long, its largerouter diameter is approximately 9 millimeters, its smaller outerdiameter is approximately 8.2 millimeters, its inner diameter isapproximately 4.5 millimeters, the center-to-center spacing between thelarger diameter portions is approximately 3.5 millimeters, thelongitudinal gap between the larger diameter portions is approximately 1millimeter, and the material of construction is steel.

The gooseneck must not be so stiff that it cannot be readilyrepositioned by the user; however, it must be stiff enough to maintainthe holder (containing the electronic device) in position with respectto the power acquisition sub-unit after the holder and gooseneck havebeen put into their desired position. The gooseneck is stiff enough sothat a 19.5 centimeter-long section (the length of the gooseneck in thepreferred unit for holding an iPod mini MP3 player) when orientedhorizontally and fixed at one end can hold a mass of just under about436 to 486 grams at the other end before deflecting downwardly, i.e.,before gravity pulls that weighted end down, away from the horizontal.For comparison, the preferred holder having an FM transmitter inside andholding an iPod mini MP3 player has a total mass of about 200 grams.Thus, the preferred unit has a design safety factor with respect togooseneck deflection of about 100% (200 grams compared to a minimumdeflection-causing mass of about 436 grams).

Goosenecks that can be used in some preferred embodiments of thisinvention are available in varying dimensions (e.g., outer diameters of2 millimeter or less to over 16 millimeters). One skilled in the artwill know the gooseneck design, dimensions, and materials ofconstruction to select for any particular usage based on the desiredlength of connector 104, the weight of holder 101 and the electronicdevice to be held in it, whether the gooseneck is to function as abroadcast antenna and, if so, for what range of radio frequencies.

With reference also to FIG. 15, the bottom of connector 104 is press-fitor swaged into swage 222 (connector 104 into put into swage 222, whichis then radially compressed to tighten it around connector 104). Twooppositely disposed screw holes 224 (only one of which is visible inFIG. 15) in swage 222 mate with two pins 217 (only one of which isvisible in FIG. 15), one in each side of the power acquisition sub-unit,i.e., right side 124 and left side 144. That keeps connector fixed inpower acquisition sub-unit 102, both longitudinally and rotationally(connector 104 is also fixed both longitudinally and rotationally inswivel connector 142). In the preferred embodiment being described,swage 222 is about 1.8 centimeters long and has an inner diameter ofabout 9 millimeters, and outer diameter of about 1.1 centimeters in itslower half (the upper half, which has been radially compressed totighten it around the bottom of connector 104, has a slightly smallerouter diameter).

Because of the rotational play (allowable movement; in this case,inherently allowable movement) in the coil of gooseneck 104, in thepreferred unit, holder 101 is able to rotate around the axis of thegooseneck at least about 90 degrees in each direction (i.e., clockwiseand counterclockwise when viewed from above) from the straight-aheadposition shown in FIGS. 2 through 8. That is more than sufficient toallow the front of the holder with the electronic device held therein(as in those figures) to be rotated for ease of viewing and use by thedriver of the vehicle or by a passenger in the front seat of thevehicle.

Power acquisition sub-unit 102 comprises two housing pieces (right side124 and left side 144 of cigarette lighter adapter enclosure) and endcap 128. In this embodiment, the internal cavity formed by the two sidesbeing joined contains the circuitry for obtaining power from an externalpower source such as a cigarette lighter and then processing it (furtherdescribed below) before it is sent to the RF transmitter and/or theelectronic device. As readily seen in FIG. 5, the housing has a smallerdiameter portion and a larger diameter portion, with flange 126 inbetween and defining the end of the larger housing portion adjacent thesmaller diameter portion. As will be described below, the flange limitsthe longitudinal amount of the power acquisition sub-unit that can beinserted into a power source such as a cigarette lighter if some part ofthe flange is of larger diameter than the corresponding part of thepower source.

When right side 124 and left side 144 are joined (as in, e.g., FIG. 1),swage 222 is held in the inner cavity formed by the assemblage of thetwo sides and connector 104 passes up through circular alignment opening229. One half (semi-circle) of opening 229 is at the top, near theproximal end, of each of sides 124 and 144. Two sets of two raisedmembers project from the inner surface of each of right side 124 andleft side 144 into the inner cavity, one set of members on each side.There are two sets of two corresponding concave semi-circular cut-outs,one cut-out at the end of each of the four members. When the two sides124 and 144 are brought together, they form two circular holes thatreceive and hold the outer cylindrical surface of swage 222. The members(and therefore the cut-outs) are positioned such that swage 222 is heldat an angle of elevation of approximately 70 degrees with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the power acquisition sub-unit, which causesvisible bottom 136 of connector 104 to exit through alignment opening229 at complementary angle 137 (FIG. 5) of approximately 20 degreesdeclination with respect to a normal (i.e., a line perpendicular) to thelongitudinal axis of the power acquisition sub-unit. Angles smaller orlarger than 20 degrees may be used in some cases. Having connector 104at such an angle (e.g., 20 degrees) facilitates positioning holder 101(and, therefore, the electronic device) away from the knobs, levers,etc. that are typically on or near the console of a vehicle.

The inner cavity of the power acquisition sub-unit contains thecircuitry for obtaining power from an external power source such as thatfound in a vehicle. One electrode comprises tip 148 (see also FIG. 9),which passes through opening 238 at the distal end of the poweracquisition sub-unit and has enlarged integral collar or flange 244. Theflange defines a cavity into which the distal end of fuse 212 residesafter assembly (so as to be electrically coupled to tip 148), and theproximal end of the fuse contacts the distal end of tensioning spring214, the other end of which spring resides between the two parallel legsof fuse contact 216 and electrically contacts the short spacing memberbetween the two legs. Fuse contact 216 may be made of copper or of anyother suitable conductive material. Fuse contact 216 terminates inconnection arm 246, which is electrically coupled to printed circuitboard 218. Tensioning spring 214 can move longitudinally (i.e., alongthe major axis of the power acquisition sub-unit) and biases tip 148outwardly (i.e., against contact 149 when the power acquisition sub-unithas been inserted fully into the power source, e.g., cigarette lighter(FIG. 11), to help insure good electrical coupling of the poweracquisition sub-unit with the power source.

The other electrode comprises two contact springs 132, which are joinedand terminate in connection arm 248, which is also electrically coupledto printed circuit board 218. The contact springs desirably are made ofany suitably springy conductive material, e.g., plated brass, steel, orcopper. The two contact springs extend beyond the outer diameter of thedistal end of the power acquisition sub-unit (see also FIGS. 2 and 3)through rectangular openings 240 (see also FIGS. 7 and 8), which areformed by corresponding rectangular cut-outs in each of sides 124 and144.

The processing of the electrical power by printed circuit board 218 inthis embodiment is described below. After processing the power, it issent by wires (not shown) connected to the printed circuit board thatpass through swage 222 and connector 104 to the electronic device (iPodmini MP3 player 500) and/or the circuitry on printed circuit board 170in holder 101 (FIG. 22), e.g., RF transmitter.

The smaller diameter section of the power acquisition sub-unit may beinserted into an external power source such as the cigarette lighter ofa vehicle, which are usually cylindrical cavities. To help position andstabilize the power acquisition sub-unit in such a cavity,non-conductive stabilizing springs 156 are provided on opposite side ofthe smaller diameter portion of the power acquisition sub-unit (seeFIGS. 5, 7, and 15). Springs 156 may be cantilevered tabs formed bymaking three cuts along the housing wall and having the tabs be thickerthan the other parts of the wall so that they extend farther from thelongitudinal axis of the power acquisition sub-unit. Any other suitablebiasing means may be used.

Because springs 156 may be insufficient to stabilize the poweracquisition sub-unit in all of the various size cigarette lighters thatare found in vehicles, and particularly because of the cantileveredweight of the electronic device, holder, and connector (e.g.,gooseneck), stabilizer 154 is used. As will be further described below,stabilizer 154 preferably comprises a deformable resilient member thatis larger than the inner circumference of essentially all known vehiclecigarette lighters so that pushing the distal end of the cigarettelighter adapter into the cigarette lighter causes the outercircumference of the deformable resilient member to bend away from thedistal end of the cigarette lighter adapter and towards the proximal endof the cigarette lighter adapter while at least some of the deformableresilient member even after such deformation continues to push againstthe inner circumference of the cigarette lighter. Stabilizer 154 is heldnear the distal end of the power acquisition sub-unit between collar 130and retaining washer 158. All of them are locked in place longitudinallyby nut 146, which has a center hole to allow electrode tip 148 to passthrough and external threads on its smaller diameter rear portion thatmate with internal threads in opening 238 at the distal end of the poweracquisition sub-unit. Light-emitting diode 134, the leads of which areconnected to printed circuit board 218 and the light from which isvisible through opening 135 (see FIG. 2), indicates when power is beingobtained by the power acquisition sub-unit. Light-emitting diode 134 isheld in opening 234 at the proximal end of the power acquisitionsub-unit (FIG. 15), opening 234 aligning with opening 135 at theproximal end of end cap 128 (FIG. 2) so that light from thelight-emitting diode will be visible.

The two sides 124 and 144 of the cigarette lighter adapter of poweracquisition sub-unit 102 have grooves and raised portions to help alignthem (e.g., slots 242) as they are brought together for assembly. Twoscrews 162 pass through holes 230 in left side 144, into the internalcavity of the power acquisition sub-unit, and into two correspondingthreaded receiving cavities 232 in right side 124, so that tighteningthe two screws tightly affixes sides 124 and 144 together. Proximal endcap 128 slides onto the proximal end of the power acquisition sub-unitand four tabs 228 (only one of which is shown) near the circular edge ofend cap 128 snap into retaining slots 164 (only one of which is shown)on the recessed (lowered) portion of the proximal end of the poweracquisition sub-unit. That holds the end cap on the assemblage of thetwo sides 124 and 144 (thereby helping to hold the two sides togetherand present a neat appearance). Various openings in end cap 128 areprovided, e.g., gooseneck swage receiving slot 226, audio output accessopening 160 (which when the end cap is in place aligns with opening 236in the housing formed by right side 124 and left side 144) through whichaudio output jack 220 is accessible (see FIG. 8), and opening 135 in therounded end of the end cap through which the proximal end oflight-emitting diode 134 is visible (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 9 shows the assemblage of the two sides of power acquisitionsub-unit 102, with connector (gooseneck) 104 attached but before end cap128 is in place. Nut 146 has been tightened so that tip 148 (whichcomprises the first electrode) extends beyond the front face of the nutand so that stabilizer 154 is held tightly between retaining washer 158and collar 130 and along the longitudinal axis of the power acquisitionsub-unit. The three cuts to provide one of the non-conductive springs156 are visible, as are the two conductive springs 132, which comprisethe second electrode. Screws 162 in holes 230 help keep the two sides124 and 144 together (see also FIG. 15).

The preferred power acquisition sub-unit has the following approximatedimensions (see FIGS. 9, 10, and 15). The overall length (from thedistal end of tip 148 to the proximal rounded end of end cap 128) isabout 9.5 centimeters. End cap 128 is about 3.8 centimeters long and 3centimeters in outer diameter, and its slot 226 is about 3 centimeterslong and 1 centimeter wide. Flange 126 is about 1 centimeter long (axiallength), 3 centimeters in outer diameter at its widest point (itsproximal end, where it abuts the distal end of end cap 128), and about 2centimeters in outer diameter at its narrowest point (its distal end,where it abuts the smaller diameter distal portion of the poweracquisition sub-unit). The recessed portion of the proximal end of thepower acquisition sub-unit is recessed about 2 millimeters, to accountfor the thickness of end cap 128 so that the outer surface of end cap128 will lie flat with the non-recessed portion of the proximal end ofthe sub-unit when the end cap is in place. The distal portion (smallerdiameter part) of the sub-unit is about 3.2 centimeters long and about 2centimeters in outer diameter. Collar 130 is about 3 millimeters long orthick (axial length) and about 1.5 centimeters in outer diameter.Stabilizer 154 is about 2.35 centimeters in outer diameter and about 2millimeters long or thick (axial length); its center hole has a diameterof about 9 millimeters, which allows the stabilizer to fit over thesmaller diameter, proximal, threaded portion of nut 146. Retainingwasher is about 1.3 centimeters in outer diameter and about 1 millimeterlong or thick (axial length). The portion of nut 146 that is visible inthe assembled sub-unit (the larger diameter, distal portion) is about1.2 centimeters in outer diameter, with two oppositely disposed straightsides to provide purchase for a tightening tool, e.g., pliers (see FIG.15), and about 4 millimeters long or thick (axial length). Withoutlongitudinal compression of spring 214, tip 148 extends beyond thedistal surface of nut 146 about 5 millimeters.

With reference also to FIG. 11, one of the features of this invention isthe stabilizer, which allows the power acquisition sub-unit to fit thecigarette lighter of virtually any vehicle to mechanically andelectrically semi-permanently (firmly but removably) couple the unit ofthis invention to keep the unit in the desired position and maintaingood electrical contact with the power source. The stabilizer retards orprevents undesired rotation, wobbling, and longitudinal movement of thepower acquisition sub-unit in the cigarette lighter. Thus, thestabilizer tends to prevent normal vibration, centrifugal forces (fromthe vehicle's turning), and bumps in the road from moving the unit (andtherefore the electronic device) from its desired position.

FIG. 10 shows power acquisition sub-unit 102 poised to be pushed intopower receptacle 105 (like a vehicle's cigarette lighter), whichcomprises cylindrical conductive ground sleeve 133 and contact 149,which is coupled to power lead 151. Stabilizer 154 is substantiallyflat, i.e., a plane contains its major face, including its outercircular circumference and its central region. Stabilizer 154 is fixedat its central region along the longitudinal axis of the poweracquisition sub-unit so that it (e.g., its outer circumference) isgenerally perpendicular to the length of the housing. Accordingly, whenthe power acquisition sub-unit is pushed into the power receptacle (asin FIG. 11), the central portion of stabilizer 154 does not move becausecollar 130 etc. keep the central portion from being forced back towardsthe proximal end, which in FIG. 11 is to the right.

Because stabilizer 154 is flexible, as the stabilizer is pushed into thepower receptacle, it deforms, i.e., its central portion remains fixed inposition but its outer periphery is bent back away from the distal endand towards the proximal end (FIG. 11). Furthermore, because stabilizer154 is also resilient, because it and ground sleeve 133 are round, andbecause the stabilizer is of larger diameter than the ground sleeve, acircular portion of the stabilizer (away from its central portion)pushes against the ground sleeve 133 around all 360 degrees of theground sleeve's inner surface. That helps keep the power acquisitionsub-unit's longitudinal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of theground sleeve, thereby helping to keep tip 148 axially aligned with thereceptacle's inner contact 149. Because of the friction between thestabilizer and the inner surface of the ground sleeve (in addition tothe friction between stabilizing springs 156 and the ground sleeve), thestabilizer helps keep the power acquisition sub-unit (and therefore theunit) from sliding out of the receptacle. Moreover, the longitudinalspacing between the points of contact of the sleeve and stabilizer, onthe one hand, and the points of contact between the sleeve andnon-conductive springs 156 and ground contact springs 132, on the otherhand, help keep the power acquisition sub-unit from wobbling. That iswhy the stabilizer is desirably located farther from rather than closerto springs 156 and 132. Both of those features (no sliding and nowobbling) help to keep tip 148 in contact with the receptacle's innercontact 149. The stabilizer cannot rotate easily on the poweracquisition sub-unit because it desirably is held tightly between collar130 and retaining washer 158. That in combination with the frictionbetween the sleeve and the stabilizer helps prevent rotation of thepower acquisition sub-unit (and, therefore, the electronic device).

When the power acquisition sub-unit is pulled out of the powerreceptacle, stabilizer 154 will not be moved distally (i.e., towards thedistal end) or pulled off and left behind because retaining washer 158helps hold it in place. In other words, the power acquisition sub-unitcarries a retainer (washer 158) between the deformable resilient member(stabilizer 154) and the distal end of the power acquisition sub-unit tofix the deformable resilient member in position on the power acquisitionsub-unit along its length.

Because the outer diameter of the stabilizer is greater in at least oneplace than the inner diameter of the sleeve, the stabilizer allows thepower acquisition sub-unit (and therefore the unit of this invention) tobe used in the cigarette lighter (power source) of virtually anyvehicle. Thus, as noted above, the expression “the outer circumferenceof the deformable resilient member being larger than the innercircumference of the cigarette lighter” should be broadly understood tomean that at least some (but not necessarily all) of the periphery ofthe deformable resilient member extends radially beyond at least some ofthe periphery of the cigarette lighter.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the stabilizer canhave any cross-sectional shape (although substantially circular ispreferred), any three-dimensional shape, e.g., a conical section, suchas a frustum of a cone (although squat cylindrical is preferred), andany size (although larger in outer periphery than the power sourcecavity, i.e., cigarette lighter cylindrical cavity, is preferred) thatallow the benefits of this invention to be achieved. For example, thestabilizer could have radial arms (e.g., like a starfish). Thestabilizer should be deformable yet resilient (and with enough stiffnessto push firmly against the wall of the power source's concavity and withenough tack to provide sufficient friction against the wall of theconcavity). The stabilizer is desirably non-conductive, at least inunits in which it would otherwise be electrically coupled with the tipof the power acquisition sub-unit, because the tip is usually in contactwith one electrode of the power source, the stabilizer contacts thesleeve when inserted into the power source, and the sleeve is usuallythe other electrode; the stabilizer should not be electrically coupledto both electrodes. Thus, the material of construction of the stabilizerwill usually be polymeric, e.g., elastomeric, such as rubber (e.g.,silicone rubber, ethylene-propylene monomer polymers,ethylene-propylene-diene monomer polymers, styrene-butadiene polymers).One preferred stabilizer for use in the preferred power acquisitionsub-unit described above is made of silicone rubber having a ShoreDurometer value of 80 (Shore A scale) and has the dimensions noted above(i.e., about 2.35 centimeters in outer diameter, about 2 millimeterslong or thick (axial length), and a center hole diameter of about 9millimeters).

FIGS. 16 through 20 concern a second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention for holding iPod mini MP3 player 500. Cigarette lighteradapter-gooseneck 300 differs from the previously described cigarettelighter adapter-gooseneck-transmitter 100 in that unit 300 does not havea transmitter. Cigarette lighter adapter-gooseneck 300 comprises holder(support assembly) 301, gooseneck 104 (connector), and power acquisitionsub-unit 102 (comprising a cigarette lighter adapter), which can beplugged into (i.e., coupled to) cigarette lighter 105 (i.e., an externalpower source) in the same way power acquisition sub-unit 102 (and unit100) was plugged in. (For convenience and ease of understanding, partsof unit 300 that are essentially the same as the corresponding parts ofunit 100 may have the same reference numerals in FIGS. 16 through 20 asused in FIGS. 1 through 15.) Connector (gooseneck) 104 and poweracquisition sub-unit 102 of this unit 300 are essentially the same as inunit 100, except for changes stemming from not having an RF transmitter.

Holder 301 has enclosure front 302 and enclosure back 314, top 304, andbottom 306. Cavity 308, which holds the bottom portion of iPod mini MP3player 500, has cavity bottom 310, which lies below top 304 the amountindicated as depth 312. Bottom 502 of the MP3 player rests on cavitybottom 310. Holder 301 is connected to gooseneck 104 through swivelconnector 142, which is preferably connected to the holder at angle 316of 20 degrees, and connector 104 is preferably connected to thegooseneck at angle 137 of 20 degrees (a smaller or larger angle can beused for either or both).

This embodiment (without the RF transmitter) may be used for embodimentsin which an RF transmission system is not needed, e.g., if theelectronic device has its own RF transmission system (e.g., a Bluetoothsystem) and/or if the output data signal is to be made available at anoutput jack, e.g., output jack 220 (see FIG. 20). Power is stillsupplied to the electronic device from the external power source (e.g.,a vehicle's cigarette lighter) and processed to the extent needed bycircuitry in the unit and sent up the gooseneck to holder 301, where itis conveyed to the electronic device through, e.g., a dock connectorthat mates with a multi-pin connector in the electronic device. Thegooseneck allows the position of the holder to be semi-permanentlyadjusted with respect to the power acquisition sub-unit, and the poweracquisition sub-unit functions in this embodiment as in the previousembodiment to securely semi-permanently hold the unit at only oneattachment point to the vehicle (i.e., the cigarette lighter) and at thesame time supply power to the electronic device.

Turning now to the electrical system (for power and data flow andprocessing) of preferred cigarette lighter adapter-gooseneck-transmitter100, FIG. 21 is a basic block diagram of that unit coupled with iPodmini MP3 player 500. Unit 100 of this invention includes poweracquisition sub-unit 102, gooseneck 104 (which functions as anadjustable mechanical support, a connector of the power acquisitionsub-unit to the holder, a conduit for electrical wires, and an antennafor the RF transmission), and holder 101. Power acquisition sub-unit 102comprises power conditioning circuit 219, voltage regulator 221, andstereo audio output 220 (e.g., a jack). Holder 101 comprises sixmomentary pushbutton switches 190, liquid crystal display 120 (which isdisplaying “88.8,” the carrier frequency of the RF transmitter), anddock connector 171.

ipod mini MP3 player 500 is coupled to holder 101 via a dock connector171. As previously noted, as used herein, the term “couple,” “coupled,”“couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood andrefer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically and/ormechanically, either directly or indirectly through interveningcircuitry and/or elements. The iPod mini can be coupled to holder 101 byany suitable means, including the use of a serial port, a parallel port,a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, or by an IEEE (Institute ofElectrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 connection (IEEE 1394 is astandard for a fast external bus that supports high data transferrates), such as Apple Computer's FireWire connection.

Holder 101 receives data signal 241 from iPod mini MP3 player 500, whichbecomes data signal 247 inside the holder, and data signal 247 is split,with one branch being sent as signal 237 to the power acquisitionsub-unit's stereo audio output 220 (see also FIG. 22). That provides anoptional interface to any accessory that utilizes a stereo jack, suchas, headphones or a tape cassette adapter, or for a line-input on astereo audio system.

The other branch of data signal 247 is modulated onto an FM frequency orcarrier wave, which is transmitted after attenuation (described below)as signal 239 to a receiver (e.g., a vehicle's FM receiver) through theuse of gooseneck antenna 104. The particular frequency onto which datasignal 241 is modulated is controlled by the end user (e.g., driver ofor passenger in a vehicle) through the use of momentary pushbuttonswitches 190. The frequency chosen by the end user is shown in theliquid crystal display 120. For example, if the end user chooses totransmit the MP3 player's data signal at 88.8 MHz, then “88.8” will bedisplayed on the liquid crystal display (as in FIG. 21).

Holder 101 receives operating power from power acquisition sub-unit 102,which in the preferred embodiments described above, comprises acigarette lighter adapter. However, one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that holder 101 can receive operating power (e.g., forits microprocessor and/or RF transmitter) from any suitable powersource, including the electronic device held in the holder or from anyother external power source. In that case, power could flow down fromthe electronic device through, e.g., the dock connector, and the poweracquisition sub-unit could supply power to the electronic device all thetime, some of the time, or possibly not at all, i.e., all power for theunit of this invention could come from the electronic device. Allowingthe electronic device to supply power some of the time, e.g., when therewas an interruption in the flow of power from the power acquisitionsub-unit, would allow the unit to continue to broadcast an RF signaleven if there were such a momentary interruption in the power supplyfrom the power acquisition sub-unit.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that if the characteristics ofthe external power (i.e., the power available from the external powersource) do not match the characteristics of the power required for theunit of this invention, the characteristics of the external power willneed to be modified before being used. For example, a step-up orstep-down voltage regulator may be needed to increase or decrease thevoltage of the external power before that power is used in the unit ofthis invention. Such a voltage regulator may be of any suitable designand may be located within the unit of this invention.

Power conditioning circuit 219 in power acquisition sub-unit 102receives external power 231 and filters it to remove any extraneousnoise. The power conditioning circuit comprises an LC(inductance-capacitance) filter, which receives an input voltage signalbetween 11-16 volts (e.g., from a car's electrical system). The inductoris approximately 2.0 mH (millihenrys) and the capacitor is approximately330 μF (microfarads). Because of the limited size of the poweracquisition sub-unit's printed circuit board, it is desirable to use asphysically small an inductor as possible. The preferred embodimentutilizes such an inductor, which was purchased from Formosa InductorCorporation, Part No. T9X5X3 (the specifications for this and all otherelements are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties).

Output 233 of power conditioning circuit 219 is coupled to voltageregulator 221. Output 235 of voltage regulator 221 is coupled to andused to power the electronics of holder 101 (described in further detailbelow). Voltage regulation circuits are well-known in the art. In thepreferred embodiment, voltage regulator 221 is a low-dropout voltageregulator from Texas Instruments Inc., Part No. TL750L, TL7501L Series.The specific voltage regulator used is a matter of design choice basedupon the needs of the particular application. For instance, use of theabove-described Texas Instruments voltage regulator was dictated in partby the need to power the holder's printed circuit board 170 (FIG. 22)with 5 volts.

Output 233 of power conditioning circuit 219 is also coupled to dockconnector 171 and is used to supply power to iPod mini MP3 player 500(power supply 243). The MP3 player uses this power to operate and tocharge the MP3 player's battery with its own internal chargingcircuitry. The cigarette lighter adapter-gooseneck-transmitter andcigarette lighter adapter-gooseneck of the present invention preferablydo not include circuitry to charge the MP3 player's battery or thebattery of any other electronic device.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of the electronics of the holder of cigarettelighter adapter-gooseneck-transmitter 100. Main printed circuit board170 is located within holder 101 and comprises stereo modulator and FMtransmitter unit (FM transmitter circuitry) 225, liquid crystal display120, six momentary pushbutton switches 190, microprocessor 223, andattenuation circuit 227. Input power (output 235 from voltage regulator221—see FIG. 21) is fed to microprocessor 223 and stereo modulator andFM transmitter unit 225.

Stereo modulator and FM transmitter unit 225 receives data signal 247(which is the iPod mini MP3 player's data output signal 241 that haspassed through dock connector 171) and modulates data signal 247 onto anFM frequency or carrier wave. Suitable designs for stereo modulator andFM transmitter are well-known in the art. See, for example, Rohm'sWireless Audio Linx IC, Part No. BH1415F. Accordingly, the design orchoice of a particular stereo modulator and FM transmitter is within theordinary skill in the art and need not be detailed here. Also, asindicated above, and as one of skill in the art will understand, thepresent invention is not limited to the use of an FM transmitter, butcan be used with any type of RF transmitter, including an AMtransmitter, Bluetooth transmitter (see, e.g., www.bluetooth.org andwww.bluetooth.com), or any other type of suitable RF transmitter.

To comply with FCC (Federal Communications Commission) requirements,output 245 of stereo modulator and FM transmitter 225 (an FM signal) iscoupled to attenuation circuit 227. As will be understood by one skilledin the art, the amount of attenuation that is needed to comply with FCCrequirements is dictated by the output of the particular FM transmitter,the quality and type of antenna that is being utilized, and theenvironment in which the FM transmitter is being used. Consequently, thespecific design of attenuation circuit 245 is a matter of design choicedepending upon the needs of the particular application. For some typesof RF signals to be broadcast by an embodiment of this invention, anattenuation circuit will not be needed.

The output of attenuation circuit 227 (attenuated FM data signal 239) iscoupled to gooseneck antenna 104, which broadcasts the FM data signal toa stereo receiver. There are numerous benefits to using a metalgooseneck antenna. For example, using the metal gooseneck antennacreates a consistent radiation pattern, which improves the strength ofthe FM data signal. Broadly speaking, the stronger the FM data signal,the better the sound quality. Other antenna designs, such as having theantenna enclosed in the metal gooseneck or having the antenna within thehousing of holder 101, would not generate as consistent a radiationpattern. This is because the gooseneck and iPod mini MP3 player (orother electronic device) would act as metal shields, thereby weakeningthe strength of the FM data signal. Another benefit of using thegooseneck as an antenna is that it simplifies the design and iscost-effective (because it also acts as a flexible but semi-permanentlypositionable connector and is relatively inexpensive and aestheticallypleasing).

Microprocessor 223 is coupled to stereo modulator and FM transmitter 225(digital interface 249), as well as to liquid crystal display 120 andmomentary pushbutton switches 190 (bi-directional interface 250).Suitable designs for microprocessor 223 are well known in the art. See,for example, ST's 8-Bit MCU with Flash or ROM Memory, ADC, Two 16-BitTimers, I²C, SPI, SCI Interfaces, Part Nos. ST722606, ST722626, andST722646 (“ST” indicates Singapore Technologies, also known as“Singapore Technologies Electronics” and “ST Electronics”), e.g., STMicrocontroller ST72F264G2H1. The specific microprocessor used will be amatter of design choice depending upon the needs of the particularapplication and is well within the ordinary skill in the art.

As discussed above, an end user can choose, through the use ofpushbuttons 168 (which activate momentary pushbutton switches 190) theparticular frequency onto which data signal 241 is modulated (e.g., anend user can choose to broadcast or transmit the audio signal at 88.8MHz). The end user's choice is sent to microprocessor 223, whichutilizes this information to control the transmission frequency ofstereo modulator and FM transmitter 225. Microprocessor 223 alsoutilizes this information to display on LCD 120 the frequency the enduser has chosen (e.g., “88.8”). Hence the need for bi-directionalinterface 250 but only a one-way interface between stereo modulator andFM transmitter 225 and microprocessor 223.

FIG. 23 shows a third embodiment in which both the iPod mini MP3 player500 (electronic device) and FM transmitter (RF transmitter) aresemi-permanently held by this invention (both are removable from theholder). Holder 401 has top edge (surface) 402, bottom 403, left side404, right side 405 and is connected to a gooseneck (not shown) byconnector 406, which is similar to the swivel connector of thepreviously described embodiments (e.g., indicated by reference numeral142 in FIG. 5). Cavity 407, whose opening is at the top of the holder,receives and semi-permanently holds the bottom portion of iPod mini MP3player 500, which has bottom 502, top 504, liquid crystal display 506,and control wheel 508. Cavity 411, whose opening is at the bottom of theholder, receives and semi-permanently holds the top portion of FMtransmitter 408, which has top 409, bottom 410, left side 414, rightside 415, liquid crystal display 412, and pushbuttons 413. (In this andother drawings, the space between the walls of a cavity and an objectheld therein may be shown as being larger than it would actually be. Forexample, bottom 502 of iPod mini MP3 player 500 abuts the bottom ofcavity 407 but is shown in FIG. 23 spaced therefrom for clarity.)

Holder 401 functions in much the same way as the previously describedholders, except that both the electronic device and the RF transmitterare removable. Thus, in one embodiment of holder 401, power is broughtup through a power acquisition sub-unit (not shown), which is like thosepreviously described (e.g., power acquisition sub-unit 102 in FIG. 1).The acquired power may be LC filtered and then some of it sent directlyto the electronic device and some sent to a voltage regulator (ifneeded) and from there to the RF transmitter. Alternatively, theacquired power may be LC filtered and then all of it sent to theelectronic device, which could then supply power to the RF transmitter.Other schemes may be used.

Both cavities of the holder are shown firmly holding only an end portionof their respective devices (i.e., the bottom portion of the MP3 playerand the top portion of the RF transmitter); however, the top and/orbottom portions of the holder may be modified to contact and hold largerportions of the electronic device and/or RF transmitter. For example,cavity 411 of holder 401 may be modified so that it encircles most orall of the periphery of the RF transmitter.

In this embodiment, the 30-pin connector at the bottom the iPod mini MP3player couples to a dock connector at the bottom (innermost wall) ofcavity 407 (neither connector is shown). That dock connector may be thesame as or similar to dock connector 171 (best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13).A dock connector at the top of FM transmitter 408 couples to a 30-pinconnector at the bottom (innermost wall) of cavity 411 (neitherconnector is shown). That dock connector may be the same as or similarto dock connector 171, and that 30-pin connector may be the same as orsimilar to the 30-pin connector used as the bottom of the MP3 player.Thus, power entering holder 401 through connector 406, which power maybe already been LC filtered and whose voltage may already have beenadjusted, can flow up through the mating connectors into iPod mini MP3player 500 and down through the mating connectors into FM transmitter408.

The FM transmission system can operate as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1through 15. A data (audio) signal leaving iPod mini MP3 player 500 flowsdown through the two sets of coupled connectors (the first setcomprising the 30-pin connector in the bottom of the MP3 player and themating dock connector in the bottom of cavity 407, and the second setcomprising the 30-pin connector in the bottom of cavity 411 and themating dock connector in the top of FM transmitter 408) into FMtransmitter 408, is modulated onto a carrier signal, attenuated (ifrequired), and broadcast by a gooseneck antenna (not shown), which iscoupled to the FM transmitter through connector 406. The six pushbuttons413 allow the carrier frequency to be selected and programmed intopre-sets (the two center pushbuttons adjust the frequency up and down,and the other four pushbuttons control the pre-sets); liquid crystaldisplay 412 shows the carrier frequency to which the FM transmitter isset.

One feature of this embodiment is that both the MP3 player and the FMtransmitter can both be removed from the holder and coupled to eachother via the 30-pin connector in the bottom of iPod mini MP3 player 500and the dock connector in the top of FM transmitter 408. The coupledassemblage can then be removed from the vehicle or other environment inwhich the holder (with coupled power acquisition sub-unit and gooseneck)was being used and placed near another FM receiver, e.g., in a home,office, or another vehicle, so that FM transmitter 408 can broadcast itssignal to that second FM receiver.

In this embodiment, power must be supplied to the FM transmitter afterit has been removed from its holder 401. For example, it may be pluggedinto a mating holder in another location (e.g., another vehicle) anddraw power through the power acquisition sub-unit associated with thesecond holder. Alternatively, if plugged directly into the electronicdevice (e.g., iPod mini MP3 player 500) after the electronic device hasalso been removed from holder 401, the FM transmitter can draw powerfrom the electronic device. Also, because the gooseneck between theholder and power acquisition sub-unit desirably functions as thebroadcast antenna for the FM (RF) signal, uncoupling the FM transmitterfrom the holder also uncouples the FM transmitter from its gooseneckantenna. Therefore, another antenna would have to be used, e.g., a wireinside the FM transmitter housing that is used (activated) at the sametime the gooseneck is used as the antenna or only when the gooseneck isnot being used as the antenna (because the FM transmitter has beenremoved from the holder).

Variations and modifications of what has been described will be apparentto one skilled in the art. For example, although engineering plastic(e.g., acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyacrylate, phenolformaldehyderesin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyphenylene oxide, polycarbonate,polyamide (e.g., nylon), polyacetal, polyurethane, polystyrene,polyvinyl chloride, reinforced plastics, ureaformaldehyde resin, etc.)may be used for the various parts of different embodiments of thisinvention (e.g., most of the non-metallic parts of the power acquisitionsub-unit and the holder), some or all of those parts may also be made ofmetal or polymers that are not usually considered to be engineeringplastics. As another example, the dimensions may be anything suitablefor the electronic device of interest. One or more parts of the unit ofthis invention may be detachable from the other parts.

The claims are intended to cover all variations and modifications thatfall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1. An accessory unit for an electronic device comprising: a radiofrequency transmitter to transmit data signals received from theelectronic device; a holder for the electronic device, the radiofrequency transmitter being coupled to the holder, the holdercomprising: a first connector configured to be coupled to the electronicdevice; a power acquisition unit coupled to the holder and configured toreceive power from an external power source; and a second connectorcoupling the holder to the power acquisition unit, electrically coupledto the radio frequency transmitter, and configured to radiate radiofrequency signals received from the radio frequency transmitter.
 2. Theaccessory unit of claim 1, wherein: the first connector comprises: apower coupling configured to transmit power received by the poweracquisition unit to the electronic device; and a signal couplingconfigured to receive the data signals from the electronic device. 3.The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein: the power acquisition unitcomprises: a deformable resilient member mechanically coupled to anexterior side of the power acquisition unit and configured to bemechanically coupled to the external power source.
 4. The accessory unitof claim 3, wherein: the deformable resilient member circumscribes aportion of the power acquisition unit.
 5. The accessory unit of claim 1,wherein: the second connector comprises: a semi-rigid elongated portionconfigured to allow a position of the holder to be semi-permanentlyadjusted relative to a position of the power acquisition unit.
 6. Theaccessory unit of claim 5, wherein: the semi-rigid elongated portion isfurther configured to radiate the radio frequency signals received fromthe radio frequency transmitter.
 7. The accessory unit of claim 1,wherein: the second connector comprises a gooseneck.
 8. The accessoryunit of claim 7, wherein: the gooseneck is configured to radiate theradio frequency signals received from the radio frequency transmitter.9. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein: the holder comprises: acavity for receiving and releasably holding the electronic device, thecavity being defined by at least a bottom wall and a sidewall; and thesidewall is configured to circumscribe a portion of the electronicdevice.
 10. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein: the holder isconfigured to be rotated three hundred and sixty degrees relative to thepower acquisition unit.
 11. The accessory unit of claim 10, furthercomprising: a swivel connector coupling the holder to the firstconnector, wherein: the swivel connector allows the holder to be rotatedthe three hundred and sixty degrees relative to the power acquisitionunit.
 12. The accessory unit of claim 1, wherein: the power acquisitionunit comprises: a cigarette lighter adapter; and a deformable resilientmember circumscribing a portion of the cigarette lighter adapter.
 13. Apower acquisition unit configured to acquire electrical power from anexternal power source for an electronic device, the power acquisitionunit comprising: one or more electrodes configured to be electricallycoupled to the external power source and configured to receiveelectrical power from the external power source; one or more conductorselectrically coupled to the one or more electrodes and configured totransmit at least a portion of the power received by the one or moreelectrodes to the electronic device; a housing with an exterior side andenclosing at least a portion of the one or more conductors; and astabilizer mechanically coupled to the exterior side of the housing,wherein: the housing is mechanically coupled the one or more electrodes.14. The power acquisition unit of claim 13, wherein: the stabilizer isconfigured to be mechanically coupled to the external power source; andthe stabilizer comprises a deformable resilient member.
 15. The poweracquisition unit of claim 14, wherein: the external power source has anopening; and the housing and the stabilizer are configured such thedeformable resilient member bends towards the opening of the externalpower source when the one or more electrodes, the stabilizer, and the atleast the portion of the housing are inserted into the opening in theexternal power source.
 16. The power acquisition unit of claim 14,wherein: the external power source has an opening; and the one or moreelectrodes, the stabilizer, and at least a portion of the housing areconfigured to be inserted into the opening in the external power source.17. The power acquisition unit of claim 16, wherein: the stabilizer hasan outer circumference; the opening in the external power source has aninner circumference; and the outer circumference of the stabilizer islarger than the inner circumference of the external power source. 18.The power acquisition unit of claim 13, wherein: the housing has a firstouter circumference; and the stabilizer has a second outer circumferencegreater than the first outer circumference.
 19. The power acquisitionunit of claim 13, wherein: the external power source comprises acigarette lighter; and the power acquisition unit comprises a cigarettelighter adapter.
 20. The power acquisition unit of claim 13, wherein:the housing has a distal end, a proximal end, and a length running fromthe distal end to the proximal end; the stabilizer is coupled to thehousing near the distal end; the housing is configured to be coupled tothe external power source at the distal end; and the housing isconfigured to be coupled to a connector at the proximal end.
 21. Thepower acquisition unit of claim 20, wherein: the distal end of thehousing is configured to be inserted into the external power source; andthe proximal end of the housing is configured to remain outside theexternal power source.
 22. A unit configured to hold and supplyelectrical power to an electronic device, the electrical power suppliedby a cigarette lighter, the unit comprising: a holder to hold theelectronic device and configured to transmit the electrical power to theelectronic device; a cigarette lighter adapter coupled to the holder andconfigured to be coupled to the cigarette lighter to supply theelectrical power to the holder; and a connector coupling the holder tothe cigarette lighter adapter, the connector configured to allow aposition of the holder to be semi-permanently adjusted relative to aposition of the cigarette lighter adapter, wherein: the cigarettelighter adapter comprises: a housing with a distal end, a proximal end,and a length running from the distal end to the proximal end, the distalend being adapted for insertion into and positioning within thecigarette lighter; and a stabilizer coupled to the housing near thedistal end.
 23. The unit of claim 22, wherein: the cigarette lighteradapter further comprises a retainer between the stabilizer and thedistal end of the cigarette lighter adapter to fix a position of thestabilizer along the length of the cigarette lighter adapter.
 25. Theunit of claim 22, wherein: the connector comprises a semi-rigidelongated portion.
 24. The unit of claim 25, wherein: the semi-rigidelongated portion of the connector comprises a gooseneck.
 26. The unitof claim 22, further comprising: at least one data signal outputconnector configured to pass a data output signal from the electronicdevice to the holder; a radio frequency transmitter configured toconvert the data output signal to a radio frequency signal; and anantenna for radiating the radio frequency signal.
 27. The unit of claim26, wherein: the connector comprises a semi-rigid elongated portion; andthe semi-rigid elongated portion comprises the antenna.
 28. The unit ofclaim 22, wherein: the at least one data signal output connector islocated at an exterior of the holder.
 29. The unit of claim 22, wherein:the holder comprises: a power coupling configured to transmit theelectrical power to the electronic device.
 30. The unit of claim 22,wherein: the holder comprises: a cavity for receiving and releasablyholding the electronic device, the cavity being defined by at least abottom wall and a sidewall; and the sidewall is configured to fit aroundthe electronic device to help retain the electronic device within thecavity.
 31. The unit of claim 22, wherein: the holder is configured tobe rotated at least approximately ninety degrees relative to thecigarette lighter adapter.
 32. A holder for an electronic device, theelectronic device having a top, a bottom, and a portion extending fromthe bottom of the electronic device towards the top of the electronicdevice, the holder comprising: a housing comprising: two or more innerhousing sections; and an outer piece that fits over the inner housingsections to hold the inner housing sections in close fitting alignmentwith each other, wherein: the holder has a cavity for receiving andreleasably holding the electronic device; the cavity is defined by atleast a bottom wall and a sidewall; and the sidewall is configured tofit around the electronic device to help retain the electronic devicewithin the cavity.
 33. The holder of claim 32, wherein: the holdercomprises a shallow cavity for receiving and releasably holding thebottom portion of the electronic device; and the holder is configured tohold the electronic device only by its bottom portion.
 34. The holder ofclaim 32, wherein: the sidewall is part of the outer piece; and thebottom wall comprises two or more parts of the inner housing sections.35. The holder of claim 32, wherein: the cavity is defined at least inpart by one or more biasing members that are configured to push againstthe electronic device to help retain the electronic device within thecavity.
 36. The holder of claim 32, wherein: the cavity of the holderhas one or more protruding members coupled to the bottom wall andextending away therefrom; the electronic device has one or more matingconcavities having their respective openings in the bottom of theelectronic device; and the one or more protruding members are configuredto extend into the one or more mating concavities of the electronicdevice when the electronic device is held in the holder.
 37. The holderof claim 36, wherein: one of the one or more protruding members is analignment pin.
 38. The holder of claim 32, wherein: the cavity of theholder comprises a power coupling for providing power to the electronicdevice.
 39. The holder of claim 32, wherein: the cavity of the holdercomprises: a power coupling to provide power to the electronic device;and a signal coupling to receive a data signal from the electronicdevice.
 40. The holder of claim 39, further comprising: a multi-pinconnector, wherein: the multi-pin connector is either a male multi-pinconnector or a female multi-pin connector; the multi-pin connector islocated in the cavity of the holder; and at least part of the powercoupling and at least part of the signal coupling are part of themulti-pin connector.
 41. The holder of claim 32, further comprising: thecavity is configured to receive and releasably hold the radio frequencytransmitter; and the cavity electrically couples the radio frequencytransmitter to the electronic device.
 42. A transmission system coupledto a holder and a power sub-unit, the transmission system comprising: anantenna comprising a repositionable metallic portion, wherein: therepositionable metallic portion couples the holder to the powersub-unit; and the repositionable metallic portion comprises a coiledlayered construction.
 43. The transmission system of claim 42, wherein:the coiled layered construction of the repositionable metallic portioncomprises: a first layer having a first thickness; and a second layerhaving a second thickness different than the first thickness.
 46. Thetransmission system of claim 43, wherein: the first layer alternateswith the second layer in the repositionable metallic portion.
 47. Thetransmission system of claim 43, wherein: the first and secondthicknesses define two different outer diameters of the repositionablemetallic portion.
 44. The transmission system of claim 43, wherein: therepositionable metallic portion comprises: a first coil; and a secondcoil coupled to the first coil; the first coil comprises the firstlayer; and the second coil comprises the second layer.
 45. Thetransmission system of claim 42, wherein: the transmission system isdesigned to be mechanically and electrically coupled to a vehicle; thevehicle has an audio system and an electrical system for supporting thetransmission system; the transmission system draws power from theelectrical system of the vehicle; and the transmission system isconfigured to transmit a radio frequency signal to the audio system ofthe vehicle.